Acid/Base Case Studies
Respiratory Alkalosis
Arterial blood pCO2 falls below 35 mmHg
metabolic acidosis
HCO3- concentration drops below 22 mEq/L
Alkalosis
blood pH above 7.45
Acidosis
blood pH below 7.35
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis occurs due to what
changes in the HCO3- conc. Normal range: 22-26 mEq/L in arterial blood
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis occurs due to what
changes in the partial pressure of CO2 in blood. Normal range: 35-45 mmHg
metabolic compensation of respiratory alkalosis
decrease the excretion of H+ and decrease reabsorption of HCO3- -goal: increase lvl of CO 2 in the body
Respiratory Acidosis
elevation of pCO2 of arterial blood above 45mmHg -inadequate exhalation of CO2 causes the blood pH to drop
metabolic compensation of respiratory acidosis
goal for treatment is to increase the exhalation of CO2
Respiratory compensation of metabolic alkalosis
hypoventilation may bring blood pH into the normal range -treatment: consists of fluid therapy to correct chloride, potassium and other electrolyte deficiencies and correcting the cause of alkalosis
Metabolic compensation
if an individual has an altered pH due to respiratory causes, renal mechanisms (primarily changes in secretion of H+ and reabsorption of HCO3-) can help compensate for the alteration
complete compensation
if pH is brought within normal range
partial compensation
if pH is still lower than 7.35 or higher than 7.45
Respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis
if problem is not too severe, hyperventilation can help bring blood pH into normal range -treatment: IV solutions of sodium bicarbonate and correcting the cause of acidosis
respiratory compensation
if the pH is altered due to metabolic causes, HYPERVENTILATION or HYPOVENTILATION can help bring blood pH towards the normal range
Normal range of systemic arterial blood
pH: 7.35-7.45
Metabolic Alkalosis
the blood HCO3- concentration is above 26 mEq/L -causes pH to increase to above 7.45
compensation
the physiological response to acid base imbalance that attempts to normalize arterial blood pH
